3 hours ago
24
Crews rescued 11 people after elevator descending Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine had issue at 500ft below surface
An equipment failure at a former Colorado gold mine has left one person dead and a dozen others trapped, authorities said Thursday.
The elevator descending into the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, which now operates as a tourist site, near the town of Cripple Creek, had a mechanical issue around 500ft (152 meters) beneath the surface. It created a “severe danger for the participants” and one person was killed, Jason Mikesell, the Teller county sheriff, said at a press conference.
Crews were able to rescue 11 people, but 12 people are still at the bottom of the mine, about 1,000ft (305 meters) deep. They are in safe conditions and in communication with authorities, said Mikesell. Rescuers are working to get the elevator back online.
The sheriff said they could rescue the trapped group by rope if necessary, but were hoping to get the elevator system working.
Mikesell said the last time there was an incident was 1986.
